Call: 01392 678082

Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust

Latest news

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    13 Jul 2026

    Geoff’s birthday treats!

    We recently celebrated a special birthday of Geoff Davis, in a place that is close to his heart: the East Devon coast.He treated us to his knowledge of the geology and landslide systems in the area, and we treated him to an ice cream on the beach!

    Geoff’s birthday treats!
    Geoff’s birthday treats!

  • Recent projects

    Successful Foul Drainage Tests Facilitate Residential Development in Devon

    It was proposed to construct a foul water drainage field at a proposed residential development site in South Devon. Ruddlesden geotechnical undertook in-situ percolation tests in accordance with Building Regulations drainage and waste disposal Approved Document H. Infiltration rates (percolation values) were provided for use in the design of the drainage field. As there was no mains drainage in the area, if the infiltration rates had been unsuitable for foul drainage, this would have precluded the development of the site.

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  • Recent projects

    Geotechnical Considerations for Basement Construction for Proposed Hospital

    For a proposed basement car park at a hospital in Dorset, Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake a geotechnical investigation. The geotechnical investigation indicated that a thick succession of river gravels was present beneath the site, for the base of the proposed basement. Widespread collapse of strata was observed in machine-excavated trial pits during the investigation and elevated groundwater pressures were recorded during subsequent groundwater monitoring. In light of the ground conditions encountered, it was recommended that a top-down construction approach be undertaken, e.g. using a secant bored pile wall, to mitigate the effects of collapsible ground and the need to dewater excavations. It was also considered that, depending on the weight of the proposed structure, tensioned piles might be required to resist flotation of the structure as a result of the high groundwater pressures.

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